Younger Children’s Mental Health is Often Forgotten
We’re hearing loud and clear from parents across the country: kids are struggling, and the system isn’t keeping up.
Children live in a fast-paced, complex world, but we’re not equipping them with the tools they need to cope.
Parents are doing everything they can, yet they’re facing long waits, huge out-of-pocket costs, and an overwhelmed mental health system.
Here’s what some parents have shared:
“My eight-year-old refuses school due to severe anxiety. We’ve spent thousands on therapy and assessments, with no clear path forward.”
“My son was suicidal. Without access to support, he wouldn’t be here today.”
“A friend of my son took his life at 14. How can we let kids reach this point?”
Some effective strategies are needed that can be readily implemented in schools. We need to teach them practical skills they can use to handle life’s everyday challenges - things like emotional regulation, resilience, and healthy coping strategies.
With the numbers of diagnoses surging, it’s unclear whether we are we seeing more mental health issues with children or whether they are being identified earlier or more accurately.
“We don’t yet fully understand why mental health challenges in children appear to be increasing - but we do know this isn’t a new issue, and it is a complex one. The last national survey of children’s mental health over a decade ago already revealed significant concerns,” says Sarah La Roche, CEO Smiling Mind.
Governments have failed to respond with the urgency and scale required.
The numbers tell a stark story: between 2007 and 2022, youth mental illness increased by 50%, and suicide remains the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15-44. Smiling Mind’s State of Mind research shows that in parent-reported perceptions of children aged 4-12, 42% are showing signs of anxiety, 27% report stress, and 11% are showing signs of depression.
“While we don’t have all the answers, today’s children are growing up in a world marked by rising pressures, hyperconnectivity and unprecedented distraction - cost of living stress, ongoing impacts from the pandemic, and stretched family resources. When parents and caregivers are under pressure, it inevitably affects children too.
“This is a long-standing issue, not a sudden crisis. Without early, preventive action - starting with mental fitness education in primary school - we risk setting children on a path toward more serious mental health challenges later in life,” she says.
The government can take real, lasting action to prioritise children’s mental health. For too long, kids - especially in primary school - have been overlooked in policy and funding decisions. If we’re serious about shifting the trajectory of Australia’s mental health crisis, we must start where it matters most: early in life, before mental illness presents or becomes established.
There are clear, achievable steps government can take right now:
Invest at least 5% of mental health funding in prevention. Mental health shouldn't just be reactive. Like brushing your teeth to prevent cavities, we must build resilience and coping skills before problems emerge.
Fully fund and implement the National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy. It’s a roadmap already in place - we just need the political will to bring it to life.
Ensure access to support through a 24/7 national digital mental health service for children and families. No matter where a child lives, they should be able to access help when they need it.
Appoint a Federal Cabinet Minister for Children. Our youngest minds need a champion at the highest level of government - someone whose sole focus is their wellbeing, safety and future.
Smiling Mind’s Mental Fitness Model focuses on five key skill sets: mindfulness, flexible thinking, connection, purpose and body awareness. Just like physical fitness, these skills can be taught and strengthened through regular practice - at school and at home.
“We’ve developed a ready-to-use, age-appropriate curriculum for schools, making it easy for teachers to build mental fitness into everyday learning. At home, families can use our free app to continue developing these skills together,” La Roche says.
Image by Jennifer Moore